MODULE 2

( Effect of free surface of liquids on stability )

 Introduction
 Correcting an angle of Loll
 Virtual loss of GM of undivided tank
 Virtual loss of GM of divided tank

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 MODULE 10 - EFFECT OF FREE
SURFACE OF LIQUIDS ON STABILITY
OBJECTIVES

On completion of this module, trainees will be

able to:
 Explain the effect of free surface of liquids
on ship’s stability.
 Explain how to correct an angle of Loll.
 Calculate the loss of GM due to free surface
effect on an undivided and divided tanks.

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 10.1 INTRODUCTION

When a tank is completely filled with a liquid, the liquid

cannot move within the tank when the ship heels.
For this reason, as far as stability is concerned, the liquid
may be considered a static weight having its center of gravity
at the center of the liquid within the tank.

W W
W
M
W L W1 M L1
G L

.
B G Z

Fig. (a)
g
K
Fig. (b) K
.
B
g
B1

W W

Figure (a) above shows a ship with a double bottom tank filled
with
05/30/20a liquid having its center of gravity at g
MOTR BULKCOAL 3
 10.1 INTRODUCTION
W
W W

M
W M L M
W G L
BG W L

..
B G
Z

.
B
g B1
g
Fig. (a)K Fig. (b) g
Fig. (a) K K

W
W
W

Now consider the ship floating at the same draft and having
the same KG, but increase the depth of the tank so that the
liquid now only partially fills it as shown below.

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 10.1 INTRODUCTION - continued
When the ship heels, as shown below, the liquid flows to the low
side of the tank such that its center of gravity shifts from g to g1 .
This will cause the ship’s center of gravity to shift from G to G1 ,
parallel to gg1 . Moment of Statical Stability = W x G1Z1
W

W = W x GvZv
M
= W x GvM x SinØ
Gv Zv
W1 L1

This indicates the G Z

effect of the free surface B G1 Z1 L

B1
is to reduce the effective
metacentric height g .
from GM to GvM.
GGv is therefore the loss K
g1 .
of GM due to free surface.
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W
 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL
A ship is taking an increasing heel to stbd.
•A negative GM
•Check cargo distribution
•All cargo well stowed - still an angle of loll is present

She is burning bunkers from the port side

of a divided double bottom tank, unknowingly
the tank gets empty. What would happen?
If that would happen, how would you correct it?

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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL
If a ship takes up an angle of loll due to negative GM it should
be corrected as soon as possible.
First make sure that the heel is due to a negative GM and not due
to uneven distribution of weights on board. For example, when
bunkers are burned from one side of a divided double bottom tank
it will obviously cause G to move out of the center line away from the
center of gravity of the burned bunkers, and will result in the ship
listing as shown below.
W W

M . W
W L M

G .. G1 W

G G1 L
L

.
B

Bunkers burned
. g
g B B1

K K
from port side
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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL -
continued
Having satisfied oneself that the weights within the ship are
uniformly distributed, one can assume that the list is probably
due to negative GM.
To correct this it will be necessary to lower the position of
the effective center of gravity sufficiently to bring it below
the initial metacenter.
Any slack tanks should be filled up to eliminate the virtual
rise of G due to free surface effect.
If there are any weights which can be lowered within
the ship, they should be lowered. For example, derricks
may be lowered if any are topped; oil in deep tanks
may be transferred to double tanks, etc.
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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL-
continued
Assume now that all the above action possible has been taken and
that the ship is still at an angle of loll. Assume also that there are
double bottom tanks which are empty. Should they be filled, and
if so, which one first.
Before answering these questions consider the effect on stability
during the filling operation. Free surface will be created as soon
as water enters an empty tank.
This will give a virtual rise of G which will lead to an increased
Negative GM and an increased angle of Loll.
Therefore, if it is decided that it is safe to use the tanks, those
which has the smallest area can be filled first so that the increase
in list is cut to a minimum. Tanks should be filled one at a time.
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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL-
continued
Next assume that it is decided to start by filling a tank which is
divided at the center line. Which side is to be filled first?
If the high side is filled first the ship will start to right her self but
then it will roll suddenly over to take up a larger angle of loll on
the other side, or perhaps even capsize.
Now consider filling the low side first. Weight will be added low
down in the vessel and G will thus be lowered, but the added
weight will also cause the G to move out of the center line to the
low side increasing the list.
Free surface is also being created and this will give a virtual rise
in G, thus causing a loss in GM, which will increase the list still
further.

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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL-
continued
The shift of the center of gravity from G to Gv is the virtual rise
of G due to free surface, and the shift from Gv to G1 is due to the
weight of the added water. It can be seen from the figure that the
net result is a moment to list the ship over still further, but the
increase in list is a gradual and controlled increase.
When more water is now run into the tank the center of gravity
of the ship will gradually move downwards and the list will start
to decrease.
As the list decreases, water may run into the other side of the
tank. The water will then be running in much more quickly,
causing G to move downwards more quickly.
The ship will not roll suddenly over the other side as there is more
water in the low side than in the high side.
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 10.2 CORRECTING AN ANGLE OF LOLL-
continued
If sufficient weight of water is loaded to bring G on the center line
below M, the ship would complete the operation upright.
To summarize:
(a) Check that list is due to Negative GM
(b) Fill up any slack tanks and lower weights
within the ship. © If the ship is still listed and is decided to
fill double-bottom tanks, start by filling the low side of a tank
which is adequately sub-divided.
(d) The list is bound to be increased in the
initial stages. (e) Never start by filling tanks on
the high side first.

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 10.3 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM

When a tank is partially filled with liquid, the ship suffers a

virtual loss in metacentric height which can be calculated by
using the formula:

Virtual loss of GM = I/V x d1/d2 x 1/N²

Where: I = LB³/12 the second moment of the free surface.

V= the ship’s Volume of Displacement
= Displacement/Density of Floatation
d1= the density of the liquid in the tank
d2= the density of the water in which the ship is
floating
N = the number of longitudinal compartments into
which the tank is subdivided.
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 10.3 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM

When a tank is partially filled with liquid,

the ship suffers a virtual loss in metacentric
height which can be calculated by using the
formula:

Virtual loss of GM = I/V x d1/d2 x 1/N²

Where:
I = LB³/12 the second moment of the free
surface.
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 10.3 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM

V= the ship’s Volume of Displacement

(Displacement/Density of Floatation)
d1= the density of the liquid in the tank
d2= the density of the water in which the
ship is floating
N = the number of longitudinal compart-
ments into which the tank is subdivided.

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 10.4 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF
UNDIVIDED TANK
Formula to find the virtual loss of GM due to the free surface
effect in an undivided tank:

GGv = I/V x d1/d2

Example 1
A ship of 8153.75 tons displacement has KM 8.0 meters, KG 7.5
meters, and has a double bottom tank 15 meters x 10 meters x 2
meters, which is full of salt water ballast. Find the new GM if this
tank is pumped out ‘till half empty.

Note: The mass of the water pumped out will cause an actual rise
in the position of the ship’s center of gravity and the free surface
created will cause a virtual loss in GM. There are therefore two
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shifts in the position if the center of gravity to consider.
 10.4 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF
UNDIVIDED TANK
Formula to find the virtual loss of GM due to the free surface
effect in an undivided tank:

GGv = I/V x d1/d2

Example 1
A ship of 8153.75 tons displacement has KM 8.0 meters, KG 7.5
meters, and has a double bottom tank 15 meters x 10 meters x 2
meters, which is full of salt water ballast. Find the new GM if this
tank is pumped out ‘till half empty.

Note: The mass of the water pumped out will cause an actual rise
in the position of the ship’s center of gravity and the free surface
created will cause a virtual loss in GM. There are therefore two
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shifts in the position if the center of gravity to consider.
 10.4 VIRTUAL LOSS OF UNDIVIDED TANK
Example 1 - continued
In the figure below, the shaded portion represents the water
being pumped out with its center of gravity at position g.
The original position of the ship’s center of gravity is at G.
Let GG1 represents the actual rise of G due to the mass
discharged.
The mass of water
discharged (w) =15 x
M
10 x 1 x 1.025 =
W Gv L
153.75 tons
G1
6m G
GG1 = (w x d) / W =
(153.75 x 6) / 8000 = .g
GG1 = 0.115 meters

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 10.4 VIRTUAL LOSS OF UNDIVIDED TANK
Example 1 - continued
In the figure below, the shaded portion represents the water
being pumped out with its center of gravity at position g.
The original position of the ship’s center of gravity is at G.

W Gv L
G1
6m G

.g
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 10.4 VIRTUAL LOSS OF UNDIVIDED TANK
Example 1 - continued
Let G1Gv represents the virtual loss of GM due to free surface.
Then: G1Gv = I/V x d/d2 x 1/N², But d1 = d2 ,
and N =1, Thus G1Gv = I/V = LB³/12V = ( 15 x 10³ x 1.025) / (12 x 8000) =
G1Gv = 0.16 m

Old KM = 8.000 m
The mass of water Old KG = 7.500 m
discharged (w) =15 x Old GM = 0.500
M
10 x 1 x 1.025 = m GG1 =
W Gv L 0.115 m
153.75 tons GM
G1 = 0.385 m G1Gv
6m G = 0.160 m New
GG1 = (w x d) / W =
(153.75 x 6) / 8000 = .g GM = 0.225 m
GG1 = 0.115 meters

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 10.5 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF TANK
SUBDIVIDED LONGITUDINALLY
Formula to find the virtual loss of GM due to the free surface
effect in a tank which is subdivided:

GGv =((LB³/12V) x (d1/d2) x (1/N²))

Where:
L = length of the tank
B = breadth of the tank
N = the number of longitudinal compartments into which
the tank is subdivided.
D1 = density of liquid in the tank
D2 = density of water in which the ship is floating
V = the ship’s volume of displacement

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 10.5 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF TANK
SUBDIVIDED LONGITUDINALLY
Example 1
A ship of 6000 tons displacement, floating in salt water, has a
double bottom tank 20m x 12m x 2m which is divided at the
center line and is partially filled with oil of relative density 0.82.
Find the virtual loss of GM due to the free surface of the oil.

GGv = (LB³ x D1 x 1)/(12V x D2 x N²)

GGv = (20 x 12³ x 0.82 x1)/( 12 x (6000 / 1.025) x 1.025 x 2²)
GGv = 0.098 meters

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 10.5 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF TANK
SUBDIVIDED LONGITUDINALLY
Example 2
A ship of 8000 tons displacement has KM 7.5m and KG 7.0m. A
double bottom tank is 12m long, 15 meters wide and 1 meter
deep. The tank is is divided longitudinally at the center line and
both sides are full of salt water. Calculate the list if one side is
pumped out until it is half empty.
Mass of water discharged = 12 x 7.5 x 0.5 x 1.025
w = 46.125 tons
Vertical shift of G (GG1) = (w x d ) / (W-w)
= (46.125 x 6.25) / (8000-46.125)
= 0.036 meters
Horizontal shift of G (GvG2)= (w x d) / (W - w)
= 46.125 x 3.75) / (8000-46.125)
= 0.022 meters
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 10.5 VIRTUAL LOSS OF GM OF TANK
SUBDIVIDED LONGITUDINALLY
Example 2 - continued
Virtual loss of GM (G1Gv) = (LB³ x D1 x 1)/(12V x D2 x N²)
G1Gv = (12 x 7.5³) x 1.025 x1)/( 12 x (7953.857 / 1.025) x 1.025 )
G1Gv = 0.054 meters
In triangle G1G2M: Cot Ø = GvM = 0.410 / 0.022 = 18.63
Answer = 3º04’

Original KM = 7.500 m
Original KG = 7.000 m
Original GM = 0.500 m
Virtual Rise of G (GG1) = 0.036 m
G1M = 0.464 m
Virtual loss of GM (G1Gv) = 0.054 m
New GM (GvM) = 0.410 m

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 ANSWER TO MODULE
EXAMINATION

1. When the ship heels, as shown above,

the liquid flows to the low side of the
tank such that its center of gravity shifts
M
from g to g1. This will cause the ship’s
center of gravity
.. g to shift from G to G1, parallel to the
shift of gg1. This indicates that the
effect of the free surface is to reduce the
metacentric height from GM to GvM.
GGv is therefore the virtual rise of GM
due to free surface.
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 2. The probable cause of the list is due to the effect of the
bunkers and fresh water consumed while underway,
causing the tanks to be slacked, or partially filled. To
remedy the situation, ballast tanks should be filled up.
3. The timber on deck on the side of the pier should be
discharged first. This will initially cause to list further
but, very gradually. At the same time, during
discharging operation, the center of gravity will be
lowered. As soon as list stops and the ship starts
recovering its list, timber on deck away from the pier
can already be discharged at this time until the ship will
be upright again and the ship has increased its stability.

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 4. Five ways in correcting an angle of loll.
- check that the list is due to a negative GM.
- fully fill up any slack tanks and lower weights within
the ship if possible.
- if the ship is still listed, and it is decided to fill double
bottom tanks, start by filling the low side of a tank
which is adequately sub-divided.
- never start by filling tanks on the high side first.
5. Moment of Statical Stability = W x GZ
GZ = GM x Sin angle
Therefore: MSS = W x GM x Sin angle

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